Mesozoic Monsters debut at South Carolina State Museum

Behemoths from the distant past once again will roam the South Carolina State Museum when its new, 6500 square-foot “blockbuster” exhibit premieres an ever-intriguing historical and pop-culture subject.

Dinosaurs: Mesozoic Monsters, now open through February 28, 2010, brings to the museum over 10 lifelike, moving, roaring robotic dinosaurs, along with hands-on features to fascinate old and young alike.

“Dinosaurs have always been profoundly interesting to the public,” said Chief Curator of Natural History Jim Knight. “Plus, they give the museum staff the opportunity to teach some science.”

In Dinosaurs, museum guests will see such amazing creatures as the three-horned Triceratops, whose horns, size and armored frill helped protect it from the big meat-eaters; Allosaurus, one of the most ferocious predators of its time; Stegosaurus, the huge herbivore whose armored spine and menacing spiked tail make it one of the most recognizable and popular dinosaurs; Utahraptor, the vicious bigger cousin of the Velociraptor, also equipped with the deadly killing claw; the giant flying reptile Pteranodon; and more.

Hands-on features include a 10-foot “dig a fossil” pit to re-create the uncovering of fossils; a photo opportunity to sit on a duck-billed dinosaur with one’s head in a T-rex’s mouth; a “please touch” display of a Triceratops horn piece; and more. In addition, guests will see a full-size Tyrannosaurus rex skull cast; a 9-foot fleshed out Torosaurus head sculpture; and several dinosaur fossils from South Carolina, such as duck-billed dinosaur teeth, the claw core of a Dromaeosaurus (a small, carnivorous dinosaur), and the leg bone of the giant Deinosuchus, a 40 to 50-foot long crocodile which easily could have eaten dinosaurs.

These endlessly spellbinding giants from times gone by have been wrapped in mystery since they were first discovered in the early 19th century. Ever since, scientists have peeled back the shrouds of the unknown as they’ve discovered evidence to give us a better idea of the lives and environments of these ancient creatures.

“Additionally, we will have on display fossils of other animals that were alive in South Carolina during the age of dinosaurs, such as mosasaurs and plesiosaurs ( both were giant, carnivorous aquatic reptiles) and turtles,” said Knight.

Admission to the exhibit is $5 for adults and $3 ages 3-12 in addition to regular museum admission.Sponsors for Dinosaurs: Mesozoic Monsters include the city of Forest Acres and media sponsors The State, Lamar Advertising, WCOS-FM, WNOK-FM and STEVE-FM.The exhibit will be shown in the museum’s blockbuster gallery through Feb. 28.

For more information, call (803) 898-4952 or (803) 898-4982.

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